August 13, 2020 City Council Meeting Minutes -

CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the Hickory Hills City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike Howley on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 7:32 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Howley lead the pledge of allegiance.

ROLL CALL

Upon roll call, the following were present:

Mayor, M. Howley
Aldermen, D. Ferrero
B. Fonte
H. Kman
M. McHugh
P. Purtill
J. Stachnik
B. Waight
S. Zimmerman
City Clerk, D. Catizone
City Attorney, V. Cainkar
City Engineer, M. Spolar
City Treasurer, A. Vodicka
Police Chief, C. Hobart
Public Works Director, S. Lehr
Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

There being a quorum, the meeting was called to order.There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Alderman Waight moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mrs. Alicja Mazur
9136 W. 92nd Place

Mrs. Mazur and her son were present to voice her concerns regarding a neighbor who has relocated their air conditioning unit next to Mrs. Mazur’s backyard patio.

Mrs. Mazur noted this is a very old unit and very loud. It makes it impossible to sit on her patio. She would like the City to review the neighbors building permits. Mayor Howley stated the Building Department will further investigate this matter.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

Alderman Stachnik moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of July 23, 2020 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley read a proclamation announcing the week of September 17th through September 23rd as Constitution Week in the City of Hickory Hills. He urges all citizens to study the Constitution and reflect on the privilege of being an American citizen with all the rights and responsibilities which that privilege involves.

Mayor Howley acknowledged the power outage the last three days from the storm on Monday. He thanked Director Sue Lehr and Clerk Dee Catizone for their persistence with ComEd and getting the power restored.

Mayor Howley noted he has met with Ricky Rockets owners and all systems are go and they are looking to open a year from today.

Mayor Howley announced the Senior Annual Luncheon in September has been cancelled.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone reported the Clerk’s Office has been open to the public as of Monday, August 3rd. This week she has made many calls to residents regarding water bills. Reaching out to let them and letting them know options to pay over the phone, or make arrangements. We are still waiving the late fees and suspended shut-offs.

Clerk Catizone announced the Consolidated Election for 4 Aldermen will be held on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Candidates can go to the Illinois State Board of Elections website to review information.

Clerk Catizone thanked Director Sue Lehr and her department for their assistance with COVID related materials.

CITY TREASURER

No report submitted.

CITY ATTORNEY

Ord. 20-14 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #20-14, an ordinance levying taxes for general corporate and other purposes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2020 and ending April 30, 2021 for the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. Attorney Cainkar noted the ordinance includes a 2.3% increase in the tax levy. Mayor Howley stated Hickory Hills has one of the lowest in the region. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #20-14. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #28283, estimate #2 from Lindahl Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $35,406.99.

This is for work done on the 2020 MFT resurfacing (pay estimate #2, partial). Alderman Waight moved to approve Invoice #28283 in the amount of $35,406.99 to Lindahl Brothers, Inc. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of August 2020 in the amount of $680,996.35. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

Alderman Kman reported he is meeting with the Employee Insurance Committee on Monday to review the insurance renewal options.

Stachnik/Public Safety

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Director Lehr thanked Waste Management for the dumpster they donated for residents who lost power this week, and needed to dispose of spoiled food.

Director Lehr reported Cook County have no approved schedule as to when the contractor will start roadwork on Roberts Road but there is signage going up and prep work will start next week. Grinding of Roberts Road will not start for a couple of weeks but when it does, they will start on the inside lanes with grinding, patching and binder course before switching to the outer lanes.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Director Lehr thanked Waste Management for the dumpster they donated for residents who lost power this week, and needed to dispose of spoiled food.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill presented a business certificate application for 9525 S. 79th Avenue. The proposed business is a handy-man business with one employee. This matter was tabled for further investigation of the parking at this location.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

Alderman Fonte reported WM “At Your Door” collection for the month of July collected 5,096 pounds with 43 stops.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

No report submitted.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

Alderman Waight reported the Hills Chamber is holding a shopping contest from August 15th through September 28th. Please see their website for further details.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Building Commissioner Moirano reported he attended a meeting with the owners of Ricky Rockets and they are on schedule for construction. Mr. Moirano also gave an update on new construction in the area.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn the meeting until the next regular or specially called meeting. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.